Upper Body Considerations for the Distance Athlete
Yes, the lower body and core are essential to focus on for distance athletes. But, this doesn't mean the upper body can be neglected.Taking a postural approach with the upper body will create lasting results for distance athletes. That's because better posture and positioning can have a big impact on performance and function of the body.
Poor posture, with forward rounded shoulders, tight thoracic spine, and lack of upper back strength, creates a position where breathing becomes restricted, arm swing can be limited, and performance suffers. This is especially true for those of you who sit at a desk throughout the day. Therefore, adding just a few basic upper body strategies to your daily routine can go a long way.
In the following video, we will cover:
Why the thoracic spine matters for optimal posture and how to reduce hyper-kyphosis
How to improve flexibility of the shoulders to restore good posture
Why increasing upper back strength is the final nail to solidify improvements in posture